SIXTH RACE

BEANTOWN BABY easily exceeded the Beyer par for this level when dropped into starter-optional company for confidence-boosting score at oddson. Tracked eventual third-place finisher Can the Queen from the outside, took over at will turning for home and was geared down under the wire. Handled three next-out winners that day and gave stakes-caliber Introduced a good fight at this level two back after being bumped a couple of times at the break. She’s somewhat of an “omni-fig” on the Beyer scale as her slowest turf race (81 Beyer) is faster than any of the other entrants have ever run on the surface. MIDSHIP LADY was bumped twice leaving the starting gate, then raced in tight along the inside in mid-pack when the beaten favorite at this level. She was one of the few horses making up significant ground in the stretch and should continue to move forward in the third start of the form cycle. She often is awkward with her lead changes at crucial times during the midst of her rally. GLITTERING JUDY looked home free when adding blinkers last time out. She cut the pace, opened up on the turn under a very confident ride and just couldn’t see it out. She’s been stuck at this class level for a long time, but should show significant speed once again.

SEVENTH RACE

CRAFTY LASS got a nice setup in maiden win over speed-friendly Monmouth surface as she set the pace while receiving only token pressure from a pair of hopeless longshots. She shook clear turning into the stretch and always had enough to hold the runner-up safe. She likes to race freely and it will be interesting to see if she can rate off of the fleet TWEET AWAY ROBIN if that one is intent on making the lead. Tweet Away Robin goes out for Russell barn that is 4 for the last 11 (36%, $2.60 ROI) with older (3-year-old and upward) dirt runners in first start following a trainer switch. Never got a breather in recent Gulfstream optional claimer as she took severe pace heat for the first half-mile. She tucked her early foe to bed at the quarter-pole, but paid the price for her efforts and was very tired in the lane. Seems well-spotted as she cuts back in distance. SUZYSELLSSEASHELLS would benefit if the top two engage in pace warfare. Oxbow filly got that sort of setup when blowing by a bunch of $25,000 maiden claimers for red-hot barn. Never switched leads in that race and might have to be a bit more professional as she tackles winners for the first time. SHE’S A BLACK BELT should make her presence felt as she ships down from New York and makes her first start for a tag. Couldn’t threaten allowance runners last time in first race following a lengthy layoff, but now must overcome another 165 days of inactivity.

EIGHTH RACE

QUIET COMPANY makes first start since being purchased for $55,000 at Fasig-Tipton on July 13 and enters this in fine form with two consecutive victories under her girth. Set a moderate but pressured pace in recent outing at Indiana Grand, looked in hot water in mid-stretch and re-rallied gamely along the inside to prevail. Finds nice spot in this restricted allowance for local debut and might be allowed to control the issue up front. It appears she’s found her niche going two turns on the weeds. IRONY OF REALITY just missed over course and distance last summer and earned a valuable stakes-placing in 4-year-old finale over Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs. There wasn’t a ton of pace for her to attack in that race and she was well-behind on the backstretch. Split rivals three-wide entering the final turn, stayed in to split again in mid-stretch and got second after finally switching leads. Third-finisher returned to compile a 4-1-1-1 record including a Grade 3-placing on synthetic and a stakes-placing on turf. Late-kicker might have to deal with another uncomfortable pace scenario and could need one in first start following 287-day freshening. LUNAR RILLE stretches out to her best distance in first start off the Trombetta claim following useful sprint prep off a six-month layoff. Rode the pocket turning into the stretch and finished evenly along the inside. The runner-up from that race returned to score with an 81 Beyer. Has the tactical speed to stay close to the pace.

NINTH RACE

MELISANDE has put it together since being stretched out in distance and she exceeded the Beyer par for this level when a rallying third for $25,000 last time out. She received a solid trip and pace setup that day as they went fast early and she rated outside in mid-pack before angling four wide turning for home. She ran on in the stretch and galloped out with aplomb. Drops back down a notch and should be charging late. KATE CARMACK should be set for her best effort as she makes her second start off the break for barn that is 4 for the last 13 (31%, $4.24 ROI) with older turf routers second back following a 61- to 120-day layoff. Gained fitness from her last start when moving early into the teeth of the winner’s pace. LA SILUETA just missed the one time she went two turns at this class level and she is eligible to improve dropping in class and stretching back out in the third start off a long layoff. Finished just behind Dixie’s Fascinator last time and that one returned to run second with a 49 Beyer when dropped to this level. MEMORIES ETERNAL’s fastest Beyer came in lone route appearance and she makes circuit debut while stretching out in second start of the year. Seems a good fit here after finishing ahead of next-out 49-Beyer runner-up Talks in Her Sleep ($16,000 maiden claimer at Delaware).